Morning Report Essentials for Friday 1st August 2025

In today's episode, the opposition says the government's move to scrap the 2018 new oil and gas ban shows it is more interested in doing the bidding of multinational companies than supporting ordinary New Zealanders; FBI director Kash Patel opened the office in Wellington on Thursday, meeting with ministers, the police commissioner, and the Directors-General of the NZSIS and GCSB; Lightning is arguably one of nature's most awe-inspiring events, but its unpredictability and duration can make it hard to study; We have our weekly political panel; Kerry-Anne Walsh has the latest from Australia.